gas type CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1996 Owners Manual

When should an air bag inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
crashes. The air bag
will inflate only if the impact speed is above the system’s
designed “threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t
move or deform, the threshold level is about 12 to 16 mph (19 to 26
km/h).
The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it
can be somewhat above or below
this range. If your vehicle strikes something
that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be
higher. The air bag is not designed to inflate
in rollovers, side impacts, or rear
impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have
inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the
repair costs were. Inflation is determined
by the angle of the impact and the
vehicle’s deceleration. Vehicle damage is only one indication of this.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under a wide range
of
conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds,
especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See
“Off-Road Driving”
in the Index for more tips on off-road driving.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result
of a crash.
The sensing system triggers a chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed
in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates the air
bag. The inflator, air bag, and related hardware are all part of the air bag
module packed inside the steering wheel.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel. The air bag supplements the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant
more gradually. But air bags would not help you in many types
of collisions,
including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because an
occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only
in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs so quickly that some
people may not even realize
the air bag inflated. Some components of the air
bag module in the steering wheel hub will be hot for a short time, but the part
of the bag that comes into contact with you will not be hot
to the touch. There
will be some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bag. Air
bag inflation
will not prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to
steer the vehicle, nor
will it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
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While refueling, hang the cap inside the fuel
door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise).
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See “Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear a clicking
noise.
1 NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right type. Your dealer
can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not fit or
have proper venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
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To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix crt the surge tunk, but only
when the engine
is cool. If the surge tank is empty, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index for the proper fill procedure.
A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol, and
it will burn if the engine
parts are hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure
cap, make sure it is tight.
Radiator Pressure Cap - Gasoline Engine
The radiator pressure
cap
must be tightly
installed
with the
arrows on the cap
lined up with the
overflow tube
on the
radiator filler neck.
U
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa) pressure-type cap and
must be tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss and possible
engine damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator filler neck.
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Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some more than others - and they can all
damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these
will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or
leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your GM dealer has two GM cleaners,
a solvent-type spot lifter and a
foam-type powdered cleaner. They
will clean normal spots and stains very
well.
Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
0 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
0 Clean up stains as soon as you can - before they set.
0 Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area often. A soft
brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area only. If you use
them, don’t saturate the stained area.
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire area immediately or
it will set.
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Fuse Block
The fuse block access
door is on the driver’s
side edge
of the
instrument panel. Pull
off the cover to access
the fuse block.
You can remove fuses
with a fuse extractor.
The
fuse extractor is
mounted to the fuse
block access door.
To remove fuses if you don’t have a fuse extractor, hold the end of the fuse
between your thumb and index finger and pull straight
out.
Be sure to use the correct fuse. If you ever have a problem on the road and
don’t
have a spare fuse, you can “borrow” one of the correct value. Just pick
some feature of your vehicle that you can get along without-like the radio
or cigarette lighter-and use its fuse,
if it is of the value you need. Replace
it as soon as you can. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index for
more information.
Specification Charts
Replacement Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are based on the latest
information available at the time of printing, and are subject to change.
If a
part listed in this manual is not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when
it was built, or if you have any questions, please contact your GM
truck dealer.
Engine Identification - Gasoline Engines
Engine
Type
VIN Code
Fuel System Emissions
7.4L
V8
N
TBI? HD
*Light Duty Emissions
with 8,500 lbs. (3 850 Kg) GVWR and below.
**Heavy Duty Emissions over
8,500 Ibs. (3 850 Kg) GVWR.
?Throttle Body Injection
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Crankcase Capacity
ENGINE
5.7L
6.5L
6.5L
7.4L
VIN
K
S
F
N
QUANTITY WITH
FILTER?
5 Quarts (4.8 Liters)
7 Quarts (6.5 Liters)
7 Quarts (6.5 Liters)
7 Quarts (6.5 Liters)
After refill, the level
MUST be checked as outlined under “Engine Oil And
Filter Recommendations”
in Section 5.
All quantities are approximate.
?Oil filter should be changed at EVERY oil change.
Fuel Tank Capacity
TYPE
Gasoline/Diesel
Utility Models - Standard
Suburban
- Standard
QUANTITY
30 Gallons ( I 1 3 Liters)
42 Gallons
( I59 Liters)
All quantities are for a completely dry tank and are approximate.
Service Replacement Part and Filter
Recommendations
- Gasoline Engines
Engine
VIN
Oil Filter
Air Cleaner Filter
PCV Valve
Spark Plugs”
Fuel Filter
Radiator Cap
5.7L
K
PF1218T A348C
cv774c
CR43TS
GF48 1
RC36
?Four Wheel Drive Vehicle
- use a PF52 oil filter
*Use AC copper-cored resistor type spark plugs
7.4L
N
PF1218
A348C
cv774c
.CR43TS GF48
1
RC36
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If your engine has more than one emissions classification, the classification
is determined by the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your vehicle
as shown on the Certification Label. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index.
Once you’ve determined your engine type and,
if necessary, emissions
classification, you’ll need
to decide which of the two schedules is right for
your vehicle. See Definitions for Maintenance Schedule I and Maintenance
Schedule I1 following.
Schedule I Definition - Gasoline Engines With Light Duty
Emissions
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is true for your vehicle:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly
important when outside temperatures are below freezing.
stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in
0 You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or off-road frequently.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle.
Schedule
I should also be followed if the vehicle is used for delivery
service, police, taxi, or other commercial application.
Schedule I Intervals - Gasoline Engines With Light Duty
Emissions
Every
3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Months
Engine Oil and Filter Change
Chassis Lubrication
Drive Axle Service
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) - Then Every 12,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Tire Rotation
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions
Front Wheel Bearing Repack (or at each brake relining)
(2WD Only)
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